The allure of double Gameweeks is strong – sometimes irresistible. At a time when the fixture list is essential to our Fantasy fortunes, a good frisking is well overdue. Season Tickers and notebooks out then; let’s start sorting the wheat from the chaff, the Balotelli’s from the Boselli’s…
The Highs
West Ham
The Hammers are sitting bottom of the table and not even a jobless Martin O’Neil fancies the rescue act. Avram Grant may have tossed his scarf into the Upton Park stands as an act of surrender, but today the club’s board have thrown their “support” and their text messaging behind their boss and presumably backed him to get them out of the mire. The good news for Grant is that the fixture list is at least one friend he can rely on.
It’s a sea of blue on the Season Ticker over the next six Gameweeks and while the Hammers are without a double fixture, they have home matches against Birmingham, Liverpool and Stoke which all look profitable. Away trips to Blackpool and West Brom meanwhile could also provide returns if Grant can whip up some performances from the likes of Carlton Cole and Scott Parker. A cheeky glance at either of that pair for Gameweek 26 onwards might be on the cards, while Fantasy Managers should also watch for more arrivals in the window. Maybe skip on Wayne Bridge though.
West Brom
Another relegation threatened side who appear to have a kind run of opponents to come. The Baggies are one side to boast a double fixture in Gameweek 27 and it’s a cracking one. Two Hawthorns clashes with the aforementioned West Ham and fellow strugglers Wolves will surely offer Roberto Di Matteo’s side opportunities for attacking returns. We can forget defensive investment, but the likes of Peter Odemwingie and Chris Brunt surely warrant a once-over for the home clash with Wigan in Gameweek 25 and beyond.
Arsenal
If the West Ham stroll is anything to go by, the Gunners are running into form at a time when the fixture list continues to fall nicely. Two consecutive home matches with Wigan and Everton only tell half the story, their double Emirates fixtures with Wolves and Stoke in Gameweek 27 looks simply irresistible and could spark huge investment. Plenty of Fantasy Managers are likely to pack the squad with assets that could include the likes of Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie and, if you really want to gamble on defensive returns, even Lucasz Fabianski and Johan Djourou.
Everton
David Moyes’ side may have just lost key man Steven Pienaar but they should be able to successfully navigate an immediate spell of fixtures without him. Everton don’t have the benefit of a double fixture in this forthcoming Gameweek, but they do have a Goodison clash with West Ham which appears to boost the appeal of likely lads Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman. Those two, particularly the lively Coleman, should keep interest bubbling as Everton embark on a run of 3 home games in 4 with Blackpool, Birmingham and Sunderland all currently scheduled to make trips to Goodison. That will change if Birmingham make the Carling Cup Final but even so, things remain pretty rosy for Moyes’ men for several weeks following that proposed double.
Also to consider: Blackburn Rovers – Steve Kean has them playing a different brand of ball and 3 decent home matches in 4 will hand them an opportunity to start climbing the table. Liverpool – erratic form doesn’t detract from the fact that the “Kenny effect” could kick-in soon with a fixture list that appears to hand the likes of Fernando Torres the chance to throw off the shackles.
The Lows
Wolves
Shoots of recovery are sprouting occasionally and the display at Eastlands was encouraging, but while Mick McCarthy is doing all he can to lift his troops, the fixture list starring them in the face continues to block their path out of the bottom three. A home clash with Liverpool this weekend looks crucial; lose that and a run of Bolton away, United at home and Arsenal at the Emirates, appears to offer little in the way of points or incentive for us Fantasy Managers.
Wigan
Roberto Martinez’ side looked to have a friendly run of games not so long ago and, in fact, that run continues in the short term with struggling Villa travelling to the DW Stadium for a second fixture in Gameweek 24, following a daunting trip to the Emirates this weekend. After that, Wigan will face Blackburn at home before things turn decidedly nasty with a run which has them up against a potentially resurgent Liverpool, a table topping United and a title challenging City. Owners of Charles N’Zogbia, Hugo Rodallega and Antolin Alcaraz should be planning an exit route soon.
Sunderland
Bent’s departure to Villa will likely flatten feelings around the Stadium of Light and the run of opponents to come in the short-term will do little to lift spirits. Away trips to Blackpool and Stoke look testing, while at home Steve Bruce’s side will next entertain Chelsea and Spurs, two sides who still have a role to play in the title race. A trip to the Emirates then looms in Gameweek 29. All in all, a testing spell for the Black Cats which might prompt a plan B for those holding the likes of Phil Bardsley and Elmohamady.
Be wary of: Birmingham – don’t get dazzled by the potential triple treat in Gameweek 27. If they reach the Carling Final that will fall through and, with a bunch of red around that cluster, points won’t come easy for McLeish’s men. Chelsea – Carlo Ancelotti is talking up a recovery but the fixture list hands them 3 tricky trips over the next 4 Gameweeks and a home clash with Liverpool who may also prove a dangerous foe.
